RIVERSIDE, Ohio (CNN) – Senator Barack Obama told reporters he is not concerned about the spike in enthusiasm among Republicans since Governor Sarah Palin joined the GOP ticket, or recent polls showing a dead-even race.

“My general approach throughout this process has been not to worry about today’s news or yesterday’s polls but worry about what is it where is it that I want to see the country what is it that I’m trying to accomplish,” said Obama at a press conference in Riverside, Ohio. “I know that after our convention we had a bump, after theirs they get a bump. I think that what you’re going to see settling in, is that the race is going to be very close.”

The Democratic nominee, asked whether he wished he had picked a female running mate given some polling data that indicates women are flocking to the McCain-Palin ticket, said he had no regrets.

“The notion that people are swinging back and forth in a span of a few weeks or a few days this wildly generally isn’t borne out,” said Obama. “These are the same polls that had me 20 down last summer that have swung wildly throughout this process. There is no doubt that Governor Palin has attracted a lot of attention.

“There’s no doubt the Republicans are excited, particularly the right wing of the Republican party, is excited by Governor Palin’s choice. I think that has less to do with gender than it has to do with her ideological predispositions.”

Palin, who has become a hot topic on the trail Monday, appears to be a rallying point for Democrats as well. Before Obama’s Riverside speech, the crowd chanted “no pit bulls!” - a reference to Palin’s joke at the GOP convention that the only difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull was lipstick.

Obama came to Riverside to talk education, laying out $1 billion worth of new proposals to make students in the U.S. more prepared to compete in a global economy. Some of the initiatives include more funding for charter schools, and greater investments and access to new classroom technology. The Illinois senator said the money to cover the spending would come in part from “carefully winding down the war in Iraq.”

In his remarks, Obama also hit Senator John McCain for what he said was a lack of commitment to education reform.

“He has not done one thing to truly improve the quality of public education in our country. Not one real proposal or law or initiative. Nothing,” Obama said. “Do you really believe that John McCain is going to suddenly make a difference now?”

soundoff(248 Responses)

CNNman you live on another planet if the you think that the Republican are good for 4 more years

September 9, 2008 02:32 pm at 2:32 pm |

Hillary 2012

Obama you are worried then why you went no spin zone

September 9, 2008 02:33 pm at 2:33 pm |

Eric from Idaho!

That's why Obama is a select choice. People know he won't sink to that Republican level this campaign is not about mockery or disrespect. Its about running the race and issues. People feel like they can trust him cause he's not all shisty and has all these hidden secrets. He just runs his race with out trying to trip or grab anyone.

September 9, 2008 02:33 pm at 2:33 pm |

Rich

Obama vs. McCain

For Equal Work for Equal Pay for Women vs. Against Equal Work for Equal Pay

For "Right to choose" for Women vs. Against "Right to choose" for Women

Voted against GW Bush (Change) vs. Voted with Bush 90% of the time (More of the same)

Now choose.

September 9, 2008 02:33 pm at 2:33 pm |

SuzyQ

He should be worried. I have faith in my fellow Americans. It's McCain/Palin all the way..

September 9, 2008 02:33 pm at 2:33 pm |

JDC

Can't wait for election to be over and Obama back to Illinois!!!

September 9, 2008 02:33 pm at 2:33 pm |

Bitter in Texas

Obama said: There is no doubt that Governor Palin has attracted a lot of attention.

Yep, and Americans still don't know what Saint Palin or McSame stand for except that she's a woman and he's just OLD. When are they going to address the "ISSUES"?? Oh, I forgot this election isn't about issues is it???? Now, I remember why I gave up on the Republican Paryy 16 years ago...they're nothing but Hate, Fear and Lies.

September 9, 2008 02:33 pm at 2:33 pm |

common sense

Nobama's camp is in a state of panic. Left wing bloggers can't control their negative rhetoric or their nasty personal attacks. They consistently insult small town America.
Biden puts his foot in his mouth almost every other day. So far he's been exposed as a racist, and a sexist.
What's next? Today, he insulted people who have children with special needs. This is precious!

September 9, 2008 02:33 pm at 2:33 pm |

John

Palin make obama regret not choosing Hillary as VP, as this will be even money for him. . Is a game of experience and obama will be busted for coming election.

September 9, 2008 02:33 pm at 2:33 pm |

Alex

I agree and disagree with Obama. I am a type of person who doesn't like to neck to neck with the competition. I like feeling safe. I can see Obama's strategy, could win, but it scares the hell out of people untill well Nov 5th.

September 9, 2008 02:34 pm at 2:34 pm |

PT

Palin Poll surge...ahem...and her skirts are getting a tiny bit shorter...Oh, my boyfriend noticed that! He also like so many men thinks she's hot! Oh yes were still in a sexist century.

September 9, 2008 02:34 pm at 2:34 pm |

Karin

The Republican's should have a poll surge since their convention just ended and Obama has nothing to be worried about. Palin is nothing but a smart mouth, the bully of the block. McCain acts like he is completely out of control of his campaign, she leads him around like a puppy dog. They look like father and daughter when campaigning.

September 9, 2008 02:34 pm at 2:34 pm |

Ron Canada.

By the way.It's Your call because we don't get to vote.If it was a world
vote Obama would get in by a landslide.

September 9, 2008 02:34 pm at 2:34 pm |

Republican for Obama

"Sarah Palin has billed taxpayers for 312 nights spent in her own home during her first 19 months in office, charging a "per diem" allowance intended to cover meals and incidental expenses while traveling on state business.

The governor also has charged the state for travel expenses to take her children on official out-of-town missions. And her husband, Todd, has billed the state for expenses and a daily allowance for trips he makes on official business for his wife."

You decide!!!!!

September 9, 2008 02:34 pm at 2:34 pm |

Republican Voting for Obama

It's a sad day in America when McCain-Palin, obviously making a big play for the Idiocracy Vote in America, start attracting voters.

September 9, 2008 02:34 pm at 2:34 pm |

Obama's the changiest!

To paraphrase Fred Thompson: Why would we consider giving the car keys to an inexperienced driver during heavy traffic?

September 9, 2008 02:34 pm at 2:34 pm |

Len in Washington

Polls don't matter....Votes matter.

We'll see in November.

September 9, 2008 02:34 pm at 2:34 pm |

Nancy

You did the right thing Barack. The pitbull will bite McCain and the Barbie Doll in the back. She's as phoney as a $3 dollar bill.

September 9, 2008 02:34 pm at 2:34 pm |

OBAMA SUPPORTER IN IOWA

When the networks advertise their new shows for the fall they say "critics rave" and "best new show of the year" and other comments trying to get people to watch. If it's a good show, you don't need all the hype. It'll sell itself. The GOP is trying to sell Sarah Palin by creating a false hype. I am surrounded by Republicans at work and in my community and I haven't spoken to a single one who thinks she is qualified for the position she's been nominated for. Don't believe everything you read folks.

September 9, 2008 02:34 pm at 2:34 pm |

Emily Parslow

Do the women of this country want a VP who is on the radical Christian right? I want choices, not to be taken back to the dark
ages by a belief system I don't subscribe to. Banning books, not teaching sex education, creationalism in our schools and no free
choice. Doesn't this scare you to death? And then there is John.
Come home from the war, cheat on your wife, divorce her and marry
Cindy. How does that fit.

To me, it is one big study in hipocracy. Wake up.! Next they will
be burning witches again.

September 9, 2008 02:35 pm at 2:35 pm |

Phil Newton from Murphy, Oregon

He has a remarkable ability to focus through the chaff.

What I want in a president.

OBAMA 08

September 9, 2008 02:35 pm at 2:35 pm |

Mike, Syracuse NY

TexasVet, nice try, but CNN explained weeks ago how the polls are adjusted for the demograhics of cell phone users. A more significant factor will be the Bradley effect. That's people who say they will vote for a black person when polled, but in the privacy of the voting booth won't. It will probably cost Obama 3-5 points in the election. So if McCain polls ahead by 2, it's probably 5-7 points in reality.

September 9, 2008 02:35 pm at 2:35 pm |

Fighting for Obama Since he is too political correct!

Obama by a landslide. Palin get that ski mobile ready cause you will get plowed over. Oh don't forget about McGrandad, make sure he charges his battery in his wheelchair so he can move out the way too.

All of the pole of pole stats is just CNN fodder for ratings. They know the truth. OBAMA BY LANDSLIDE IN NOVEMBER!

September 9, 2008 02:35 pm at 2:35 pm |

Tom

Let me get this straight....
The Choice we have is a young, green U.S. Senator who has organized an unbelievable state to state campaign, who is eloquent and who inspires the younger generations and who has a Vice President who knows Washington D.C. better than most. This is over another Senator who is up in years and could possibly have healh issues while in office. The odds are good he will. He chooses a V.P. who is charismatic, charming, good looking but knows absolutely nothing about economics, the world order, how Washington works. Furthermore we are now learning a great deal about Sarah that should be upsetting to most ranging from caring little about the environment, is in bed with the oil industry, who advocated getting certain books out of the library, not to mention other things that soon will be coming out.
The Democrats are known as Tax and Spend Liberals
The Republicans are known as Borrow and Spend Conservatives (an oxymoron)....

Pick your poison...No matter who we get, prepare for a very very very bumpy ride. How are we going to pay for a stronger military...borrow/tax; how are we going to pay for health care: borrow/tax....We want it all with little sacrifice. Yep, get ready. Change is Coming all right....

September 9, 2008 02:35 pm at 2:35 pm |

lorna

Obama needs to remember and not ignore the observation
"know thy enemy"